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Wynonna’s Visionary Philanthropy Awarded

Invitation-only Gala Will Benefit The Cecil Scaife Music Business Scholarship Endowment

Nashville, TN – Five-time GRAMMY Award winner, multi-platinum recording artist, New York Timesbest-selling author, and tireless philanthropist, Wynonna Judd, will receive The Cecil Scaife Visionary Award for 2010.

Governor Phil Bredesen and First Lady Andrea Conte will be on hand for an evening of music and heartfelt memories on Tuesday, August 24^th, as Nashville celebrates Wynonna for her countless contributions to the Nashville community and future generations who wish to pursue a career in the music industry.

The event will be held at Conservation Hall at the Tennessee Residence in Nashville, Tenn.  The invitation-only gala begins at 6:30 p.m.  The evening will be filled with music and tributes from friends and esteemed members of the community including a proclamation from U.S. Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn. Invitations may be requested by emailingNashvilleCelebrates@gmail.com accompanying a donation of $200.  All donations benefit the Cecil Scaife Music Business Scholarship Endowment for an educational scholarship to be awarded in Wynonna Judd’s name.

The Cecil Scaife Visionary Award was founded in the name of the Music Row pioneer and veteran, who was instrumental in the formation of the music business program that is now known as the Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business.

Passionate about the music industry and education, it was Scaife’s vision to form a college level program to produce successful musicians, artists and music business executives by giving students an opportunity to formally learn about the industry that was so fulfilling and exciting for him.

“Wynonna personifies the spirit of this award.  She has given so generously of her heart, talent and time to help the next generation realize a better life and better chance at success through her work with youth in our community and students pursuing a career in the music industry,” said LaRawn Scaife Rhea.  “It is a great honor to award The Cecil Scaife Visionary Award to Wynonna for the many special opportunities that she has made available to students through her special mentorship.”

Music industry leader, Mike Curb, was the inaugural recipient of The Cecil Scaife Visonary Award in 2008. Record producer and music industry leader, Tony Brown, received the award in 2009.

About Cecil Scaife
Cecil Scaife was highly respected for his love of the music industry and education.  It was his vision to see the formation of an educational program to produce successful musicians, artists and music business executives by giving students an opportunity to formally learn about the industry that was so fulfilling and exciting for him.

It was Cecil Scaife who originally conceived the idea of creating a music business program and, along with the assistance of many friends from Music Row and good friend Bob Mulloy, founded the program that grew to become The Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business.

Scaife, a native of Helena, Arkansas, started his career in the music business working at KFFA radio in Helena.  He went on to work for legendary producer Sam Phillips, and was the first Marking Manager/Promotion Manager at Sun Records during the early days of Elvis Presley's career.  Over the years he worked with artists Charlie Rich, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash and others.  Cecil Scaife was a founder of the Gospel Music Association, President of NARAS, Nashville, and founder of Music, Inc.

About Wynonna
5-time GRAMMY Award winning artist, Wynonna Judd first gained fame as part of one of the most successful musical duos of all time, The Judds, who have amassed fourteen number-one hits and over 60 industry awards including multiple CMA, ACM and GRAMMY awards. At the height of their career, Naomi Judd announced she would have to retire from the music business due to health complications.  To say goodbye to their fans, they launched the 116-city Judds Farewell Tour selling more concert tickets than anyone that year with the exception of The Grateful Dead and The Rolling Stones.  On top of that amazing feat, Wynonna also holds multiple gold, platinum and multi-platinum certifications from the RIAA in excess of 30 million units sold for albums released throughout her illustrious 26-year career.  In addition to her vast musical achievements, Wynonna became a New York Timesbest-selling author in 2005 with the release of her long-awaited autobiography, Coming Home to Myself, released in conjunction with her live CD and DVD: Her Story: Scenes from a Lifetime.

In January of 2010, Wynonna announced that she and her mother, Naomi, intend to reunite for one final tour. The Judds came together again at last year’s 2009 CMA Music Festival and captivated the massive audience with their homespun, acoustic harmonies that felt as revelatory as they did when they first shot onto the country music scene 26 years ago. Encouraged by that performance and driven by the fans, the duo decided to tour one last time for 2010’s The Judds: The Last Encore.